Building Your Lakeside Dream Home in Minnesota
There’s something magical about waking to the sound of gently lapping water. Sunlight sparkles like diamonds on the smooth surface, flat as glass, as you rise to greet the misty morning. In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, building a home on the lake in Minnesota is a common practice, whether it’s a primary or secondary residence. However, certain considerations must be kept in mind when planning your lakeside retreat.
A Home on the Lake is Different
Many aspects of building a standard home are similar to building a lake home with a few exceptions, so it’s best to find a company that has extensive experience building along Minnesota’s vast shorelines. “The top question I always ask clients is about lake views,” says Samantha Meyer, whose role is design and project development at Highmark Builders. “What type of floor plan works best to get the view you are hoping for and how can we maximize the impact that the view has on your most occupied spaces?”
Samantha works closely with clients through every phase of their construction project from the initial exploration meeting to the completion of their lake home. She listens carefully as she walks her clients through these other top considerations:
- Residency Type: Will this be a full-time residence, vacation home, or a future retirement destination? The answer to this question can influence every aspect of the lake home building process. A summer getaway might not have the same requirements as a full-time home that must withstand Minnesota winters.
- Orientation and Sunlight: Sunrise or sunset, which do you prefer? A south-facing home gets the most sun throughout the day while a west-facing home can take advantage of the stunning sunset views over the lake.
- Privacy and Noise: Are neighboring lots a little too close? Most Minnesota lake homes are tightly packed along the shoreline. Homeowners should carefully consider window placement to provide the most privacy and minimal noise while inside the home.
- Indoor-Outdoor Living: Walkout basements, screen porches, and expansive decks are common among Minnesota lake homes. Be sure to incorporate these elements into your design to integrate indoor-outdoor living and maximize views. And remember to carve out enough space beyond the deck for a boathouse, firepit, sandy beach and more for those summer days when you’re outside more than inside.
- Home Maintenance: Minnesota lakes introduce a number of environmental issues including moisture, bugs, and weather extremes. The external materials you choose must be durable enough to withstand the elements, so consider moisture-resistant siding and composite decking.
Lake Home Design Ideas
- Orchard Lake Remodel: For this home on Orchard Lake in Lakeville, Samantha worked closely with the homeowners who wanted their second home to have as much visibility of the lake as possible. “We worked with the existing exterior walls but completely gutted the outdated interior,” she says. The new modern kitchen features white cabinets, black countertops, and an adjoining sunroom with many windows to enjoy the lake views. A two-sided fireplace divides the kitchen and the custom library, where the homeowners can enjoy the views while curled up with a good book.
- The Lake Escape: This award-winning 4,812-square-foot Prior Lake remodel replaced an outdated lakefront home. The two-story cottage with panoramic views and a sandy beach is the ultimate entertainment location. Sweeping views of Prior Lake can be seen from every corner of this massive great room with 21-foot ceilings, exposed beams, and light wood tones to complement the outdoors.
- Modern Cottage: This Prior Lake renovation needed a modern update. The transformed exterior includes white brick against striking black windows to take in the breathtaking lake views, new gable rooflines, and modern board and batten accent on the lake-facing side of the home. Due to lot limitations, the chimney shroud was placed by helicopter.
Find other lake home projects in our Design Gallery.
Build Your Home on the Lake
It’s safe to say that Minnesotans love lakeside living. And since Minnesota lakefront properties have shown consistent value appreciation, averaging 4.6% annually over the past decade, now is a great time to start planning.
Once you decide to either purchase a lake lot or remodel an existing lakefront home, the builder you chose to complete the project is of utmost importance. Select one with vast experience building or remodeling waterfront custom homes, such as Highmark Builders. Our lakeshore construction expertise includes handling strict environmental regulations that protect water quality and natural habitats, building specialized foundations and engineering solutions to handle unstable shorelines, and handling logistical challenges for equipment and materials.
At Highmark Builders, we specialize in west and south metro lakes including Lake Minnetonka, Prior Lake, Orchard Lake, and more. Contact us today for an initial consultation and to discuss your ideal lakeside retreat.
